Degree Requirements
- English
- ESL (Credit Courses)
- ESL (Non-credit Courses)
- Foreign Languages
- Journalism
- Learning Skills
- Reading
The English Program is aimed at improving students’ abilities to
read, think, and write critically. Objectives in courses range from
teaching the fundamentals of language to an introduction to
significant literature in Western culture.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
1) Read accurately, critically, broadly and reflectively, demonstrating the ability to consider contrastive or opposing perspectives and non-insular openness to diverse ideas and intellectual traditions.
2) Produce college-level academic English prose to communicate clear yet nuanced viewpoints on complex subjects and ideas, demonstrating a sound understanding of audience and prose.
In order to earn the degree of Associate in Arts in ENGLISH, the student must:
1) complete a minimum of 30 units of GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS listed in Plan A
2) complete all REQUIRED COURSES listed below, earning a grade of “C” or better in each course
3) complete a balance of degree-applicable electives, which may include additional courses chosen from RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES listed below, to total 60 units with a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average.
Upon registering, the student needs to provide evidence of one of the following:
(1) Appropriate results on the computerized placement
assessment, which includes multiple measures such as reading, comprehension, grammar, arithmetic, elementary algebra, and college-level math assessment. Additional components include a study skills inventory and an academic background assessment ,
(2) A grade of “C” or higher in a prerequisite course, or
(3) A transcript or other document from another college or university that verifies student’s placement.
Testing is available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday. Contact the Matriculation Office or the Admissions and Records Office to obtain assessment schedule.
21 English Fundamentals (3) NDA (Pass/No Pass)
Prerequisites: Developmental Communications 21 and 23 or ESL 6A and B
Lecture: 3 hours; Lab: 1 hour
English 21 introduces the student to basic academic reading, writing, and thinking. Students develop reading comprehension by studying shorter published essays, which then provide models of and/or subjects for their compositions. Basic grammar is covered as an essential component of the writing process.
28 Intermediate Reading and Composition (3)
Prerequisite: English 21
Lecture: 3 hours; Lab: 1 hour
In this course students plan, draft, revise, and edit compositions of increasing sophistication and complexity. All writing is based on readings that challenge the student’s thinking and provide an intellectual background for writing assignments. The course also advances skills in paragraph structure, sentence variety, thesis development, organization, coherence, and language conventions as well as prepares them for English 101.
94 Intensive Grammar Review (3) NDA
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 3 hours
This course offers an intensive review of the principles of standard English grammar, sentence structure, and English usage and diction. The course will cover the parts of speech, verb forms and tenses, fragments, run-ons, and other issues in standard grammar usage. Students will learn to identify errors and correct them. This course is intended for students preparing for English 28, English 31 and English 101.
101 College Reading and Composition I (3) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA 1A
CSU-GE Area A2
Prerequisite: English 28 or 31
Lecture: 3 hours
English 101 teaches freshman-level college composition and reading. Students are provided with practice in college-level compositions and engage in critical analysis of reading at higher education level. The class focus is organization and composition of longer expository essays (500-1000 words), with one or more including researched secondary sources and MLA documentation.
102 College Reading and Composition II (3) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA 1B
CSU-GE Area A3
Prerequisite: English 101
Lecture: 3 hours
This course teaches critical thinking, reading, and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 101. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ analytical and inferential reasoning skills, and on expanding their strategies for argumentation, using the various genres of literature and literary criticism as subject matter. Analytic, interpretative, argumentative, and researched papers of increasing length and depth are assigned.
103 Composition and Critical Thinking (3) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA 1B
CSU-GE Area A3
Prerequisite: English 101
Lecture: 3 hours
This course is designed to further expand critical thinking, reading, and writing abilities that students developed in English 101. Students will learn to compose effective prose in essays and other written assignments, writing a minimum of 8,000 words. Students will read, analyze, evaluate discuss and write about assigned essays and literary works, both fiction and non-fiction. Skills in locating, interpreting, and organizing pertinent information to be used in research papers will be emphasized in the course.
127 Creative Writing (3) UC:CSU RPT3
Prerequisite: English 28 or 31
Lecture: 3 hours
This course is designed for those who want to practice writing and develop a portfolio of creative writing. Students will write poems, plays, stories, and/or multi-media works and present their writing in workshops for informal discussion and evaluation by the class and instructor, and for publication in the LASC online literary journal, The Truth. Instruction in creative writing as well as critical reading will be provided.
211 Fiction (3) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA 3B
CSU-GE Area C2
Prerequisite: English 101
Lecture: 3 hours
Students read, interpret, and discuss selected short stories and novels from diverse perspectives, using literary terms and applying contemporary approaches to understanding literature.
212 Poetry (3) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA B3
CSU-GE Area C2
Prerequisite: English 101
Lecture: 3 hours
Reading, discussion, and analysis, oral and written, of selected poetry acquaint the student with this genre.
213 Dramatic Literature (3) UC:CSU
IGETC Area 3B
CSU-GE Area C2
Prerequisite: English 101
Lecture: 3 hours
Reading, discussion, and analysis, oral and written, of selected dramatic works acquaint the student with this genre.
234 African-American Literature I (3) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA 3B
CSU-GE Area C2
Prerequisite: English 101
Lecture: 3 hours
This course surveys African American literature, which documents and interprets the Black experience in the United States. The course offers both chronological and thematic coverage of literary content, and identifies significant authors and their work in the various literary genres, including autobiography and the essay. The examines the relationship of this literature to the individual struggles of Black Americans.
CREDIT
English as a Second Language, a series of courses for students whose native language is not English, is aimed at improving students’ abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Students may want to learn English to improve their lives in the United States or to prepare themselves to take other college courses in academic or vocational programs.
Student Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
1) Produce a cohesive paragraph, which has a topic sentence, body with support and a conclusion.
2) Read a short story or article in English and answer questions based on the reading.
3) Listen to a news report or other oral presentation in English and relate what was discussed.
English as a Second Language (Credit)
Core Courses: Units
ESL 3A College English as a Second
Language III: Writing/Grammar..................... 6
ESL 3B College English as a Second
Language III: Reading/Vocabulary............... 3
ESL 3C College English as a Second
Language III: Listening/Speaking................. 3
ESL 4A College English as a Second
Language IV: Writing/Grammar.................... 6
ESL 4B College English as a Second
Language IV: Reading/Vocabulary.............. 3
ESL 4C College English as a Second
Language IV: Listening/Speaking................ 3
ESL 5A College English as a Second
Language V: Writing/Grammar..................... 6
ESL 5B College English as a Second
Language V: Reading/Vocabulary............... 3
ESL 5C College English as a Second
Language V: Listening/Speaking................. 3
ESL 6A College English as a Second
Language VI: Writing/Grammar.................... 6
ESL 6B College English as a Second
Language VI: Reading/Vocabulary.............. 3
ESL 6C College English as a Second
Language VI: Listening and Speaking........ 3
English as a Second Language (Non-Credit)
ESL 11CE Vocational English as a Second Language I 0
ESL 12CE Vocational English as a Second Language II 0
ESL 40CE English as a Second Language-Writing/Grammar/Reading/Listening and Speaking I 0
ESL 41CE English as a Second Language- Writing/Grammar/Reading/Listening and Speaking II 0
ESL 42CE English as a Second Language- Writing/Grammar/Reading/Listening and Speaking III 0
English as a Second Language classes are for students whose first language is not English
ESL 3A College English as a Second Language III: Writing/Grammar (6) NDA
Prerequisites: ESL 2A and 2B or by placement
Lecture: 6 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on vocabulary, grammar, and guided paragraph writing. Related reading activities provide models of writing and present new vocabulary in context.
ESL 3B College English as a Second Language III: Reading/ Vocabulary (3) NDA
Prerequisite: ESL 2A & 2B or by placement
Lecture: 3 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on building reading comprehension skills by identifying the main idea and details, drawing conclusions, inferring, and sequencing. Students will build vocabulary using word attack skills and learning new sight words and idioms.
ESL 3C College English as a Second Language III: Listening/Speaking (3) NDA
Prerequisite: ESL 2A and 2B or by placement
Lecture: 3 hours.
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on listening and speaking English at a normal rate of speech. Students will develop listening comprehension skills and will be able to orally respond with appropriate phrases, short answers, and simple sentences in structured communication situations.
ESL 4A College English as a Second Language IV: Writing/Grammar (6) NDA
Prerequisite: ESL 3A
Lecture: 6 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on development, of paragraph writing using the writing process. Reading activities provide models of writing and present new vocabulary in context. Students practice grammar doing content-based exercises.
ESL 4B College English as a Second Language IV: Reading/Vocabulary (3) Prerequisite: ESL 3B
Lecture: 3 hours.
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on development of intermediate reading and vocabulary building skills. Students will build reading comprehension using pre-reading techniques, skimming to identify the main idea of individual paragraphs, and guessing meaning from context. Students will build vocabulary using word attack skills and various word forms.
ESL 4C College English as a Second Language IV: Listening/Speaking (3) NDA
Prerequisite: ESL 3C
Lecture: 3 hours.
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on development of intermediate listening and speaking of English skills. Students will be able to orally respond appropriately and with increasing fluency in structured communication situations.
ESL 5A College English as a Second Language V: Writing/Grammar (6) UC:CSU
Prerequisite: ESL 4A
Lecture: 6 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on high intermediate development of essay writing using the writing process. Related reading activities provide models of writing and present new vocabulary in context.
ESL 5B College English as a Second Language V: Reading/Vocabulary (3) CSU
Prerequisite: ESL 4B
Lecture: 3 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on development of high intermediate reading and vocabulary building skills.
ESL 6A College English as a Second Language VI: Writing/Grammar (6) UC:CSU
Prerequisite: ESL 5A
Lecture: 6 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on high intermediate to advanced development of essay writing using the writing process. This course provides review of fundamental skills in grammar, sentence building and practice in critical thinking.
ESL 6B College English as a Second Language VI: Reading/Vocabulary (3) CSU
Prerequisite: ESL 5B
Lecture: 3 hours
In this course for non-native speakers of English, emphasis is placed on development of high intermediate to advanced reading and vocabulary building skills.
Student Learning Outcome: Upon completion of the majority of these courses, students should be able to:
1) Accurately complete forms in English with personal information and be able to effectively communicate in oral and written form for life skills.
2) Express and respond to information in English in oral and written form for workplace and interpersonal communication.
11CE Vocational English as a Second Language I (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 3 hours
ESL 11CE is an open-entry competency based class for intermediate non-native speakers of English. This course emphasizes the acquisition of English language needed to function effectively in the workplace.
012CE Vocational English as a Second Language II (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 3 hours
ESL 012CE is an open-entry competency-based class for high-intermediate non-native speakers of English. This course emphasizes the acquisition of the English language needed to function effectively in the workplace or job training program.
40CE Writing/Grammar/Reading/Listening and Speaking I (0)
Prerequisites: None
Lecture: 5 hours; Lab: 5 hours
This competency-based, open-entry ESL course teaches beginning English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to non-native speakers of English. The focus of instruction is on the speaking and understanding necessary to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements. Students learn to comprehend frequently used words in context, use learned phrases and sentences to communicate needs, understand basic grammar structures and read simplified material.
41CE Writing/Grammar/Reading/Listening and Speaking II (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 5 hours; Lab: 5 hours
This competency-based, open-entry ESL course teaches high beginning English speaking, listening, comprehension, reading, and writing skills to non-native speakers of English. This course develops communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in English. To develop these skills, a sequence of grammatical structures is integrated in the context of everyday situations.
42CE Writing/Grammar/Reading/Listening and Speaking III (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 5 hours
This open-entry, competency-based, course is designed to develop communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for the immediate needs of adult non-native English learners at the intermediate low level.
ESL and CIVICS (ESLCVCS)
Student Learning Outcome: Upon completion of these courses, students should be able to:
1) Accurately complete forms in English with personal information and be able to effectively communicate in oral and written form for life skills.
2) Express and respond to information in English in oral and written form for workplace and interpersonal communication.
10CE ESL and Civics 1 (0)
Prerequisites: None
Lecture: 1 hour
This introductory open-entry course will provide the content and the oral/aural skills practice necessary to begin the process of becoming a United States citizen. The major focus is on developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
11CE ESL and Civics 2 (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 1 hour
This open-entry course will provide the instruction and practice of the elements ofEnglish pronunciationwhich have the greatest impact on speaking clearly. The focus of this class is the oral Citizenship interview
12CE ESL and Civics 3 (0)
Prerequisites: None
Lecture: 1 hour
This competency-based, open-entry citizenship course will provide the content and the oral/aural skills practice necessary to complete the process of becoming a United States citizen. Topics include United States history, government and civics information. Students will be introduced to the content necessary in order to have a
functioning understanding of the English Language.
13CE ESL and Civics 4 (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 3 hours
This class is designed to introduce the newly arrived immigrant students to the American educational system. Students will learn vocabulary and grammar forms and increase their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and educational opportunities. They will also learn to dialogue effectively in the educational setting in order to advocate for themselves and their children.
14CE ESL and Civics 5 (0)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 3 hours
This class is designed to introduce the newly arrived immigrant students to the American banking and financial systems in order to begin to develop financial literacy and complete necessary forms. Students will be introduced to consumer laws and protections. Students will also be introduced to vocabulary and grammar to begin dialoguing within the banking and financial settings.
015CE ESL and Civics 6 (0)
Prerequisites: None
Lecture: 3 hours
This open-entry course will introduce the integrated topics of Civics and Citizenship preparation. Students will prepare for the Citizenship test and interview. They will also learn skills to assist them in their immersion into a predominantly English speaking society.
1 Elementary French I (5) UC:CSU
IGETC AREA 6A
CSU-GE Area C2
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 5 hours
This course stresses the mastery of fundamentals of French pronunciation and structure. Emphasis is placed upon developing the student’s ability to speak, understand, read and write simple French, paying special attention to practical vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. In addition, the student is introduced to some important aspects of French civilization and culture through simple readings and visual aids. Note: Corresponds to the first two years of high school study.
2 Elementary French II (5) UC:CSU
IGETC Areas 3B and 6A
CSU-GE Area C2
Prerequisite: French 1
Lecture: 5 hours
This course is a continuation of French I, with an increased emphasis on conversation. It includes the study of the past,and future verb tenses, of the passé composé, the imperfect, and the conditional, also of the subjunctive mood. Readings and vocabulary on daily life in France and Francophone nations are featured, also comparisons with American culture.
ASSOCIATE in ARTS in SPANISH
The Foreign Language Program offers a sequence of courses in Spanish, which students can pursue for individual purposes. One direction provides courses which may be used as partial fulfillment of the requirement for the A.A. degree. A second direction provides the General Education courses necessary for transferring to a four-year university. A third direction provides the basic language courses required for the Spanish major transferring to a four-year institution.
The Program also offers classes for students who are interested in learning Spanish for use on their jobs or for vocational purposes. Native Spanish speakers may also take courses that enable them to improve their writing, reading, and speaking abilities.
Student Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
1) Read a short story or article in Spanish and answer questions based on the reading.
2) Write an essay in Spanish of at least two pages using correct grammar and appropriate vocabulary.
In order to earn the degree of Associate in Arts in SPANISH, the student must:
1) complete a minimum of 30 units of GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS listed in Plan A
2) complete all REQUIRED COURSES listed below, earning a grade of “C” or better in each course
3) complete a balance of degree-applicable electives, which may include additional courses chosen from RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES listed below, to total 60 units with a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average.
Note: Up to 6 units may be double-counted for completion of both the GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (Plan A) and completion of the REQUIRED COURSES.
Required Courses: Units
SPANISH 1 Elementary Spanish I…………5
SPANISH 2 Elementary Spanish II………...5
SPANISH 3 Intermediate Spanish I……….5
SPANISH 4 Intermediate Spanish II………5
TOTAL UNITS…………………20
Recommended Electives Units
ART 101 Survey of Art History I…………..3
ART 102 Survey of Art History II………….3
FRENCH 1 Elementary French I……………5
FRENCH 2 Elementary French II…………...5
HISTORY 1 Introduction to Western
Civilization I……………………..3
HISTORY 2 Introduction to Western
Civilization II…………………….3
HISTORY 5 History of the Americas I………3
PHILOS 1 Introduction to Philosophy…….3
101 Collecting and Writing News (3) CSU
Prerequisite: English 28 or 31
Lecture: 3 hours
Note: Required of all Journalism majors.
This introductory course stresses instruction and practice in news gathering and news writing. Extensive practical writing experience is geared to the campus newspaper. It also includes a study of newspaper, radio, television and online news. Adherence to professional writing style and legal and ethical aspects of the profession are included.
105 Mass Communications (3) UC:CSU
Prerequisite: None
Recommended: English 28 or 31
Lecture: 3 hours
Note: Required of all Journalism majors and recommended for non-journalism majors.
This course surveys America’s mass communications systems and how they affect human behavior in relation to social, political, and economic institutions. Newspapers, magazines, television, advertising, public relations, radio, records, and movies and how they affect us as members of society will be studied. This history, sociology, operation, regulation by society, and financing will be included. Students will gain an understanding of the ways media have been and are used to influence, manipulate, and reflect the society and special interest groups within the society and they will become more critical media consumers.
1 Reading (3) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 9 hours
This course is open-entry/open-exit, and provides individualized and computer-aided instruction. In the course, both ESL and native English-speaking students will learn effective strategies for improving reading comprehension, expanding their vocabulary, and developing critical thinking skills. This course is composed of a sequence of three progressive modules.
1A Reading (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course is open-entry/open-exit, and provides individualized and computer-aided instruction. In the course, both ESL and native English-speaking students will learn effective strategies for improving reading comprehension and expanding their vocabulary. This course is the first in a sequence of three progressive modules.
1B Reading (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course is open-entry/open-exit, and provides individualized and computer-aided instruction. In the course, both ESL and native English-speaking students will learn effective strategies for improving reading comprehension, expanding their vocabulary, and developing critical thinking skills. This course is the second in a sequence of three progressive modules.
1C Reading (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course is open-entry/open-exit, and provides individualized and computer-aided instruction. In the course, both ESL and native English-speaking students will learn effective strategies for improving reading comprehension, expanding their vocabulary, and developing critical thinking skills. This course is the third in a sequence of three progressive modules.
2 English Fundamentals (3) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 9 hours
This course is a self-paced English fundamentals course covering usage, mechanics, and basic English structure. A diagnostic assessment is given to each student to determine and prescribe the appropriate level of study. It is open-entry/open-exit and provides the basic foundations for understanding and using standard English.
2A English Fundamentals A (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course is a self-paced English fundamentals course covering basic English sentence structure. A diagnostic assessment is given to each student to determine and prescribe the appropriate level of study. It is open-entry/open-exit and provides the basic foundations for understanding and using standard English. This module focuses on sentence structure.
2B English Fundamentals B (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course is a self-paced English fundamentals course covering basic English grammar, especially the parts of speech. A diagnostic assessment is given to each student to determine and prescribe the appropriate level of study. It is open-entry/open-exit and provides the basic foundations for understanding and using standard English. This module focuses on parts of speech and agreement.
2C English Fundamentals C (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course is a self-paced English fundamentals course covering usage, mechanics, and basic English structure. A diagnostic assessment is given to each student to determine and prescribe the appropriate level of study. It is open-entry/open-exit and provides the basic foundations for understanding and using standard English. This module focuses on the punctuation and the mechanics of grammar.
3 Vocabulary Development (5) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 5 hours
This course consists of small group conversation classes that are designed to expand the student's comprehension and use of spoken English. It offers individualized, self-paced vocabulary building programs aimed at developing helpful strategies for understanding and using complex words in a context
10A Mathematics Fundamentals A (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
Based on diagnostic-proscriptive assessment, the student will receive individualized math instruction in math fundamentals so that he/she can succeed in college courses requiring computational skills involving whole numbers and decimal numbers.
10B Mathematics Fundamentals B (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
Based on diagnostic-prescriptive assessment, the student will receive individualized math instruction in math fundamentals so that he/she can succeed in college vocational courses requiring computational skills involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions.
10C Mathematics Fundamentals C (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
Based on diagnostic-proscriptive assessment, the student will receive individualized math instruction in math fundamentals so that he/she can succeed in college courses requiring computational skills involving decimals, fractions, ratios, percentages and proportions.
20 Effective Note taking (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass)
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
In this course students are introduced to basic theories and concepts of effective note taking techniques. Students learn to evaluate and organize lectures notes in patterns that reveal how the lectures, facts, and ideas are related. It also prepares them for student success in classes by using their notes to prepare for quizzes and exams.
40 Introduction to Learning Disabilities (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass)
Prerequisite: None
Lab: 3 hours
This course will explore the nature of learning disabilities and the laws, accommodations, and services available for academic improvement. Through assessment, students will discover personal learning strengths and weaknesses to develop a plan for academic success. Eligibility for support services will be determined.
41 Study Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities (3) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT2
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 1 hour; Lab: 4 hours
This course will help students with identified learning disabilities develop strategies appropriate for his/her learning style to cope with the demands of the classroom environment. Such strategies include time management, note-taking, reading comprehension, goal setting, test-taking, concentration and memory, organization, and writing.
59 Orientation to Disability Services (1) NDA (Pass/No Pass) RPT3
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 1 hour
Designed to introduce students to Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S) and federal disability regulations. Topics include student and faculty rights and responsibilities, reasonable accommodations, disability-related laws, and computer competency.
25 Reading for College Success (3)
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 3 hours
Students review reading skills and strategies necessary for college success, including reading for main ideas, determining organizational patterns of details presented, and drawing logical conclusions in paragraphs and short essays. Readings and vocabulary study are in the 9th to 11th grade range. Students are introduced to more critical reading skills (determining author’s purpose, tone, point of view, and intended audience) and literary concepts (interpreting figures of speech, characterization, plot, setting, and theme).